Taking the K-I-S-S Approach to Valentine’s Decorating
Here are some K-I-S-S (Keep It Simple, Sweetie!) ideas from David Beahm:
- Use prepared foods from a restaurant or an upscale grocer to reduce your work time.
- Move to another space—the living room or patio, for example—for dessert, to avoid having to immediately clear the table.
- Hire a waiter from your favorite restaurant to handle the serving and cleanup.
That way, Beahm says, “You can devote all your time to that special person.” And isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about?
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Valentine’s Looks You’ll Love
Celebrity party planners share their secrets for Valentine’s Day decorating.
- by Nancy Christie
Whether it’s an intimate dinner for two or a family-and-friend gathering, February 14th is all about love. But when it comes to Valentine’s Day decorating, feel free to think outside the “hearts and roses” box, says home and food stylist, chef and entertaining expert Annette Joseph.
When to Forego Tradition—and When to Embrace It
“Valentine-themed décor does not have to be pink, red and hearts all over the place,” says Joseph. “I think that the idea of creating a romantic or sensual setting is more interesting. Using deep colors like purples, deep pinks and even black can be sexy and fun.”
That being said, experts agree that candles definitely belong in the décor. “Get candles and turn off the lights,” says David Beahm, celebrity event planner who was named one of New York’s Top Ten designers by Biz Bash. “A chandelier won’t create the ambiance that candles will.”
Use unscented votives in the dining area to avoid a conflict with the aroma of the food, but add scented candles to the powder room and “of course in the bedroom,” says Joseph.
Incorporating Food into the Décor
As for food, it can be part of the décor as well as the menu. Joseph incorporates fruits such as pomegranates, grapes, figs, strawberries and plums along with flowers as design elements.
For the menu, style expert, interior designer and author Colin Cowie says “Many people spend too much time making a menu that keeps them in the kitchen for too long rather than spending time with their loved one.”
His ideas include “erotic foods such as oysters on the half shell, poached shrimp, asparagus, artichokes—all foods you can eat with your hands and foods that are aphrodisiacs. And for dessert, consider a chocolate fondue with strawberries for dipping.
